Haiti Declares State of Emergency

By Laura Polynice

It’s difficult to write an update on Haiti. Whenever you think it can’t get any worse, it does. 

This past weekend, gangs seemingly joined forces and carried out coordinated attacks throughout Port-au-Prince and the country. 

This Weekend’s Events:

1. Gangs attacked the airport in Port-au-Prince on Thursday in an effort to prevent the acting Prime Minister from returning from Kenya. All flights through the airport have been canceled since the event. 

2. Gangs attacked the police academy in Port-au-Prince.

3. Gangs breached the country’s largest prison in Port-au-Prince, releasing thousands of prisoners. It’s reported that, of the nearly 4,000 prisoners, only 99 remain in the prison – those who chose to remain in their cells. A second prison was also attacked. 

4. Gangs attacked police stations in several places throughout the country, gaining control of the station in Cabaret. It’s reported that the gang now controls most of that town, moving their control further north up National Route 1 (the highway which leads to PLH’s community).

5. Gang leaders announced that several of the gangs have joined forces and will not stop their attacks until acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry is removed from power. 

6. After the weekend’s events, the country declared a state of emergency and instated a curfew Monday through Wednesday. 

7. The citizens of Port-au-Prince are trapped in the city as violence escalates and shooting increases throughout the city. All routes out of the city are controlled by gangs. Schools are closed and streets are empty as everyone hides in their homes. Leaving even to find water or food is a life-threatening mission.

8. Food insecurity continues. 1.4 million people face emergency levels of food insecurity with 4.35 million people suffering from acute hunger. 

9. All of this comes after January 2024 was labeled the “most violent month” in the past 2 years in Haiti with more than 1,100 people killed, injured, or kidnapped.

10. On Friday, Ariel Henry and the Kenyan President signed a deal to move forward with the proposal to send 1,000 Kenyan police to Haiti, a plan devised by the UN Security Council, paid for largely by the US, and initially halted by the Kenyan parliament. Other Caribbean nations also discussed an effort to organize a multinational force to send to Haiti. 

Video: Haiti declares state of emergency amid escalating violence and prison break (CBS) 

The Political Situation

After the assassination of President Jovenel Moise with no prime minister installed, several candidates stepped forward to run the country. Ariel Henry won the power grab and has been acting as Prime Minister since. Most of the population does not view him as a legitimate leader of the country as he was not elected. Henry signed an agreement that he would organize elections in 2023 and hand over power on Feb 7, 2024.

In November of 2023, Guy Phillipe, a revolutionary and accused drug smuggler who led the 2004 coup against President Aristide, returned to Haiti after serving several years in US prison. He began to call for protests throughout the country to start a “revolution”. With no elections in sight, protests broke out around the country in February to call for Ariel Henry to step down. Henry has since stated that he will organize elections in 2025 and hand over power in 2026.

Haiti is Hurting

Hopelessness is spreading throughout the country. Every month brings new levels of suffering. Gangs are armed with military grade weapons, drones, and vehicles. The police are overwhelmingly outnumbered and outgunned. The people have no way to defend themselves and are running out of places to hide. People fear that they will all die before help comes. 

PLH is Standing Steadfast

We share all of this to bring awareness to the suffering that our Haitian brothers and sisters are facing, to bring light to the injustices happening in this corner of the world that we serve. While things are dark and it is hard to say when and how Haiti will rise from this, we continue to hold on to hope for Haiti. PLH believes that God has a brighter future ahead for Haiti. We remain steadfast in our mission of empowering Haitians to build a stronger Haiti. The PLH programs continue to offer hope and purpose through athletic programs for youth, valuable training courses for adults, and a commitment to stand with those we serve and partner with them to bring about a stronger future for their community and nation. 

Through All Of This, There Is One Thing That Gives Us Hope

By Laura Polynice (Nott)

“Nou bouke,” (We’re tired) has long been the cry of the people of Haiti – since the 2010 earthquake, through the 2019 unrest which shut down the country for three months and into this current season of gang violence and insecurity. This past month has been a particularly tiring one for the nation. Then this morning, Haiti awoke to the news of the death of the president. 

Earlier this morning, President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at his home. The First Lady was taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. The death of the president throws Haiti into a new chapter of the unknown. The constitution states that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is to be the successor; however, he passed away of covid two weeks ago and his funeral was scheduled for today. It is hard to predict what will happen in the coming days and months. All we can say is Haiti needs our prayers. The country is suffering.

An anonymous woman who heard the shots summarized much of the population’s feelings well when she said, “The president had problems with many people, but this is not how we expected him to die. This is something I wouldn’t wish on any Haitian.” (CNBC)

June was a tough month for Haiti. We are in the middle of the rainy season, but while the rain falls and the gardens grow, the country of Haiti is struggling to hold on. Gang activity is on the rise throughout the greater metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. Some communities have had to leave their areas due to gang violence. Some hospitals and organizations have been forced to vacate their facilities for the time being, out of concern for the safety of their employees and those they serve. The Haitian police have insufficient resources, training, and support. Meanwhile, covid, though relatively mild in Haiti during 2020, has seen an increase in cases. We are beginning to hear of more sickness around the country and in our area. Prices are continuing to rise. Fuel shortages are becoming more common and lasting longer. There have been two fatal boat accidents in our area impacting our coastal community. Then last weekend, a chartered plane crashed and claimed the lives of the six people on board, who had decided to fly in order to avoid travelling through an area made nearly impassible due to gang activity. Thankfully, hurricane Elsa did not hit Haiti hard, though the south did have some flooding and loss of crops. The population is discouraged and frustrated over the economic, political and gang situations in Haiti and the loss of innocent lives. The cry of the people has been, “Nou bouke.” “We’re tired.”

Through all of this, there is one thing that gives us hope: God, our heavenly father who we know loves Haiti. He may not bring peace and prosperity to this country today or tomorrow, but through it all, we know He is with us. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” He calls us to continue to serve those in front of us and to do the work entrusted to us. He asks us to encourage and lift up one another. He commands us to pray for our neighbors and our enemies alike.

PLH continues to do the work God has put in front of us. While most of our English classes are on summer vacation, two that started mid-year continue to meet. The soccer fields and basketball court host casual play and organized scrimmages in the evenings when the weather is cooler. It is encouraging to see soccer players arriving by truck and by foot for scrimmages or to hear the bounce of basketballs until well after dark. Sports truly are an outlet. Amongst all the stresses of the world, PLH is a place where youth can come to play, relax, grow, learn, and challenge one another. The PLH staff are working to make repairs to the road and finish the bathrooms so the campus can be better accessible and equipped to host events and activities. We hope to have everything ready to host special activities in August.

It may be difficult to see in the middle of so much suffering, but we know that God has big plans for this community and this country.

How can you help?

Pray. Please pray for the population of Haiti that has faced decades of hardships. Pray for families that dream of a better life for their children. Pray for workers, national and foreign, that continue to do the work God has placed before them. Pray for those behind the violence and corruption. God has the power to change hearts. Pray that this next chapter in Haiti brings good leaders and positive change.

Give. It feels strange to ask for money on a day like today, but the truth is, now more than ever, Haiti needs the training, employment and hope that organizations like PLH bring. Right now, we are running the annual Join the Community campaign. This campaign invites you to join the PLH community by becoming a monthly donor. Monthly giving fuels the programs and projects that provide hope to the community in challenging times. Just $15 a month helps to:

• Educate current and future professionals by providing English classes and other job skills programs.

• Empower youth by providing soccer and basketball programs that holistically train athletes in faith, sport, and future.

• Employ staff and construction workers with jobs to provide for their families.

• Expand the campus to better serve the community.

Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and partnership. 

Brighten The Corner Where You Are - A Mission Experience Story

By Ron Randall

Turmoil in Haiti - A Call to Pray

By: Guesly Dessieux
Executive Director and Founder 

My family and I were supposed to fly to Haiti on September 23, 2019 but our trip has been postponed due to the turmoil in Haiti. Over the last two weeks anti-government demonstrations demanding the resignation of the Haitian president have escalated. On Friday, protesters throughout the country burned tires, erected barricades, and set businesses on fire. This is the second time this year that fuel shortages have paralyzed the country forcing schools and businesses to close and hospitals to barely function. The humanitarian situation is dire and not having fuel leaves Haitian families without access to water, food, power, transportation, and more. In an article I read the interviewee best explained the protest this way, “My kids are hungry. I have no food. I have no job. We have to do something to get the government's attention.”

A few years ago I told a group of students I was taking to Haiti that it is paralyzing when you have nothing and everything is taken away from you. This has happened to the Haitian people over and over again.    

As an organization our mission statement is Empowering Haitians To Build a Stronger Haiti. We believe that if Haitians are empowered they can use their own God-given abilities to provide for their families and change their community. At Project Living Hope, we have hope for Haiti and its people.We have hope that Haiti can change and move forward.

Right now though Haiti is in a very dark place.  Lives are endangered and it’s hard to imagine a quick resolution.  So we need to pray. Please join us in praying for solutions and for peace in Haiti.